Aussie women’s relay team win silver as Katie Ledecky powers USA to gold medal

THE AUSTRALIAN women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team has claimed a silver medal finishing behind the United States team led by superstar Katie Ledecky.

Australia’s 4x200m relay team claimed silver behind the United States

THE AUSTRALIAN women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team has claimed a silver medal finishing behind the United States team led by superstar Katie Ledecky.

Leah Neale, Emma McKeon, Bronte Barratt and Tamsin Cook put in a sensational effort to lead into the final leg before Ledecky stormed home for the Americans who were the pre-race favourites.

Ledecky swam a sensational anchor leg to claim her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics as the United States won the event for the fourth time in the five Olympics it has been on the schedule.

Australia's relay team celebrate as Tamsin Cook touches the wall in second place

Ledecky overhauled Tamsin Cook to take her team home in 7min 43.03sec, beating the Aussies into second place with Canada third.

“I was prepared for any circumstance, whether we were ahead or behind,” Ledecky said.

The Australian team touched in 7:44.87, while Canada’s Katerine Savard, Taylor Ruck, Brittany MacLean and Penny Oleksiak clocked 7:45.39.

Ledecky added the relay gold to her individual triumphs in the 200m and 400m free. She also anchored the US 4x100m free relay team to silver behind Australia.

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Still coming for the 19-year-old is the defence of the 800m freestyle gold she won in London. A victory for the world record-holder would make her the first Olympian since Debbie Meyers in 1968 to win the 200m, 400m and 800m free at the same Games.

In a nip and tuck battle, China, Australia and the United States traded the lead throughout.

Schmitt got the Americans off to an early lead before Barratt pulled the Aussies ahead with one leg remaining -- but Cook couldn’t hold off Ledecky.

Originally published as Aussie women’s relay team win silver as Katie Ledecky powers USA to gold medal